Forget Nicki Minaj and Ed Sheeran, check out the real stars of this year’s Philly 4th of July Jam

By now, you’ve probably heard about this year’s Wawa Welcome America’s Philly 4th of July Jam on the Parkway. And if you’re like me, you’re less than enthusiastic about the big names performing. The lineup isn’t terrible – it features performances by The Roots, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran and more. It’s alright, for sure, but not super exciting.

But don’t write off the city’s free annual 4th of July concert too fast, because there are some underdogs. Aside from the main stage, there are two smaller stages: Global Music Stage and Questlove Stage. The lineups are made up of lesser-known (but spotlight deserving) artists that many people aren’t even aware are there. Well, I’m going to fix that. Here’s your guide to the real stars of the Philly 4th of July Jam:

Global Music Stage

El Caribefunk / via facebook.com/funkchoyelcaribefunker

As a Latin powerhouse, El Caribefunk will bring some reggae funk to the Global Music Stage. The Colombian band is spending its summer touring around the Philly area and filling the air with Afro-Caribbean music. El Caribefunk has a ton of energy and spirit not only in its music, but it’s stage presence. The band will have you up and moving when it takes the stage at 3:30 p.m. Take some time to listen to the band’s song, “San Antonio,” below.

Filled with poppy, rock melodies and catchy lyrics, Fleeting Ends have the perfect summertime sound. The Philly natives have been around since 2008 releasing two albums and one EP. The most recent album, Our Eyes Are Peeled, was released in March 2013 and definitely deserves a listen. It’s like a swirl of Vampire Weekend and Dr. Dog. I’m not really sure how Fleeting Ends fits in with global music, but you can catch them on the Global Music Stage at 12 p.m. Check out a live recording of “Little People” below from last year’s WXPN’s XPoNential Festival.

If you’ve never seen Taiko drumming before, here’s your chance to when the Hoh Daiko Drummers play on the Global Music Stage. Taiko is about more than just the drumming — it’s an art form that involves the entire body. The drummers dress in traditional Japanese garb and use Japanese percussion instruments to bring to life the culture of Japan. Watch them perform at the Seabrook Obon Festival below.

Questlove Stage

Photo via facebook.com/thephosphenes

With a 80’s rock inspired feel, The Phosphenes are a band to check out on the Questlove Stage. The Philly natives released their latest album, ZOOZANTHELLA, in May, but it feels like it was made way before that. The band sounds like it belongs in the garage punk rock wave of the 80s. Catch The Phosphenes on the Questlove Stage at 12 p.m.

When you have a musically talented father like Lenny Kravitz, you’re bound to have some talent yourself and in the case of Zoe Kravitz she got a ton of talent. As the frontwoman, Kravitz’s sultry, relaxed voice pulls together the electronic synthpop that is Lolawolf. The trio from New York released its first self-titled EP this past February and it is full of big beat and hip-hop elements. See them play on the Questlove Stage at 5 p.m. and listen to the single, “Summertime,” below.

Alternative soul artist Timothy Bloom cannot be pigeonholed. Bloom is so diverse in his songs’ melodies it’s as if they are all from different artists. But there is one common thing in all his songs: Bloom’s smooth, powerful soul voice that’ll have you drift off. Bloom will be playing on the Questlove Stage at 3:45 p.m.

Local singer-songwriter Brianna Cash’s unique, broken voice that brings the raw emotion of her lyrics to life. The Philly native is not well-known, but she should be. Her lyrics are deep and her melodies, soulful. Check her out on the Questlove Stage at 3 p.m.

Leave a Reply

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

Support The Key

What do you think?

Did you find what you were looking for? Was this page helpful?
Let us know

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH